How Often Do You Wash Diaper Covers?

by Andrea Buckner Schoenherr

Overview

How often you wash your diaper covers will vary depending on the type of material used and your baby. For a newborn with frequent bowel movements, it is obvious that the diaper cover must be washed each time. For an older baby with fewer bowel movements and who does not soil the cover, the decision is not quite so clear-cut. Taking care of your diaper covers will lengthen the life of the cover---maybe enough for another child to use.
Unsoiled Covers

When changing a diaper and the cover has not become soiled, you can simply lightly wipe the inside of the cover with a diaper wipe and place a fresh cloth diaper in the cover. Alternatively, rotate unsoiled covers throughout the day, letting them air dry between uses for extra freshness. Manufacturers often recommend using a new cover after two to three changes. Give the cover a quick sniff, and if it smells of urine, place it in the wash.

General Care

Generally, diaper covers should be washed separately from cloth diapers. Include them with a load of baby's clothes if possible. Wash on a gentle cycle with a natural detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and detergents with chemicals---they will shorten the life of the cover and make it prone to leakage. Line drying is best for diaper covers. Read the specific manufacturer directions and contact the manufacturer or distributor with specific questions about the care of your diaper covers.
Wool Diaper Covers

Wool, with its natural antibacterial and waterproof qualities, does not require frequent washings. In fact, unless the wool cover is soiled from a bowel movement, the diaper cover only needs washing every week or two. Simply let a wool diaper cover air dry for several hours even if it is slightly wet from urine and it is ready to use again. If the diaper cover still smells after air drying, it is time for a wash. Wool diaper covers require special washing and must be lanolized, a process to restore the natural waterproof qualities, every few washings.